Early Learning Specialist

🎯 Role Definition

Are you a passionate advocate for early childhood education with a gift for inspiring both children and adults? This role requires an exceptional Early Learning Specialist to join our team and become the cornerstone of our educational programming. This isn't just a job; it's a chance to shape the future by ensuring our youngest learners receive the highest quality of care and education. You will be a mentor, a curriculum innovator, a coach, and a vital resource for our teachers and families. If you excel at turning developmental theory into practice and are driven to create joyful, engaging, and inclusive learning environments, we want to hear from you.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Lead Preschool Teacher
Childcare Center Director
Early Interventionist

Advancement To:

Early Learning Program Manager
Curriculum & Instruction Director
Regional Education Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

Family Support Specialist
Professional Development Trainer
Special Education Advocate

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, implement, and refine a dynamic, play-based curriculum that is developmentally appropriate and aligns with state standards and early learning frameworks like NAEYC or Head Start.
Conduct comprehensive developmental screenings and ongoing formative assessments using tools like ASQ, DRDP, or CLASS to monitor child progress and guide instructional planning.
Provide direct, high-quality instruction and facilitation in early learning classrooms, modeling best practices and innovative teaching strategies for fellow educators.
Offer individualized coaching, mentoring, and constructive feedback to early childhood educators through classroom observations and reflective practice sessions to enhance their instructional quality and professional growth.
Design and lead engaging, hands-on professional development workshops, training sessions, and learning communities for teachers and support staff on topics such as classroom management, emergent literacy, and trauma-informed care.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including speech therapists, occupational therapists, and social workers, to develop and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) for children with diverse needs.
Foster strong, trusting partnerships with families by maintaining open and consistent communication, providing resources, and facilitating parent education workshops on child development and at-home learning strategies.
Champion a culturally responsive and inclusive learning environment that respects and celebrates the diversity of children, families, and staff, ensuring equitable practices are embedded in all aspects of the program.
Analyze and interpret child assessment data to inform program-wide instructional strategies, identify trends in child outcomes, and drive a cycle of continuous quality improvement.
Guide teachers in creating and maintaining stimulating, safe, and well-organized classroom environments that encourage exploration, creativity, and social-emotional growth.
Serve as a key resource and subject matter expert on early childhood development, evidence-based practices, and educational policy for all staff, families, and community stakeholders.
Facilitate case conferences and team meetings to discuss individual children's needs and progress, and to coordinate support services effectively and collaboratively.

Secondary Functions

Ensure all program activities, classroom environments, and documentation strictly adhere to state licensing requirements, funding mandates, and quality accreditation criteria.
Research, evaluate, and recommend new curriculum models, assessment tools, and instructional technologies to keep the program at the forefront of the early childhood education field.
Plan and coordinate large-scale family engagement events, such as literacy nights, STEM fairs, and cultural celebrations, to strengthen the home-school connection.
Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community agencies, local school districts, and other partners to create a seamless network of support for children and families.
Prepare detailed reports, case notes, and documentation on child progress, classroom observations, and program outcomes for internal and external reporting purposes.
Actively participate in the recruitment, screening, and onboarding process for new teaching staff, providing expert input on candidate qualifications and programmatic fit.
Manage and curate a rich inventory of age-appropriate learning materials, educational technology, and classroom resources, ensuring they are accessible and effectively utilized.
Support grant writing and reporting processes by providing compelling data, program narratives, and information related to educational services and child outcomes.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Curriculum Development & Implementation: Deep knowledge of and experience with major ECE curriculum models (e.g., HighScope, Creative Curriculum, Reggio Emilia).
Child Assessment & Screening: Proficiency with a range of formal and informal assessment tools (e.g., DRDP, ASQ-3, ASQ:SE, CLASS, ECERS/ITERS).
Regulatory Compliance: Strong understanding of state child care licensing regulations, Head Start Performance Standards, and/or NAEYC accreditation standards.
Adult Learning Principles: Proven ability to design and facilitate effective training, coaching, and professional development for adult learners.
Special Education Knowledge: Familiarity with the IEP/IFSP process and strategies for supporting children with diverse abilities and developmental delays.
Data Analysis: Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret qualitative and quantitative data to inform decision-making and program improvement.

Soft Skills

Exceptional Communication: Ability to communicate clearly, empathetically, and effectively with children, families, colleagues, and community partners from diverse backgrounds.
Coaching & Mentoring: A natural ability to guide, inspire, and build the capacity of others through a supportive and reflective coaching approach.
Cultural Competency: A deep and demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with the ability to create welcoming and affirming environments for all.
Patience & Empathy: A nurturing and understanding demeanor, capable of building trust and rapport with young children and their families.
Problem-Solving: Proactive and resourceful in identifying challenges, collaborating on solutions, and navigating complex situations with a positive, can-do attitude.
Collaboration & Teamwork: A team player who excels at building relationships and working effectively within interdisciplinary teams to achieve shared goals.
Adaptability: Flexible and resilient, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing needs in a dynamic environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development, or a closely related field.

Preferred Education:

Master's degree in Early Childhood Education, Curriculum & Instruction, or a related field with a specialization in early learning.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Early Childhood Education
Child Development
Special Education
Elementary Education (with ECE focus)
Human Development and Family Studies

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-5+ years of professional experience in an early childhood setting, including direct classroom teaching experience.

Preferred:

At least 2 years of experience in a coaching, mentoring, or leadership role (e.g., Mentor Teacher, Education Coordinator, Center Director).
Experience working with diverse populations, including dual-language learners, children with disabilities, and families experiencing poverty.
Verifiable experience delivering professional development and training to adults.